Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The worlds largest fast food chain McDonald's has been under the spotlight after an Orlando manager refused to hire a seventeen year old transgender woman Zikkeria Bellamy because of her gender identity. The manager harassed the teen by leaving a voice-mail saying: "You will not get hired, we do not hire faggots" The manager of that location has since been fired, but the corporate policy still does not include protections on the basis of gender identity/expression.

McDonald's issued this press release regarding the incident:

"McDonald’s has a strict policy prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment in hiring, termination, or any other aspect of employment in the organization. The restaurant requires all employees to comply with local, state and federal employment laws." (GLAAD)

1 comment:

Personally, I would urge everyone to stay out of Mc Donald's: the food they serve causes stroke & heart disease!But I couldn't agree with you more about trans employment protections.

I first heard about trans people, way, way back in 1970. I was 14 years old, and not yet out to myself.Christine Jorgensen, who called herself transexual, was a guest on the Mike Douglas show.She was plugging the new film that had been made about her life, and sang a Peggy Lee styled jazz number from her nightclub act~~she was a GOOD singer!

Ms Jorgensen was my introduction to the whole idea of trans. It's not something I need to do, but even then I wondered, what's the big deal? If that's who she is and that's what makes her happy, then so what?How does her decision affect me? (it didn't and doesn't)